Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-05-21


by two articles of faith: First, that wit Is bet
ter than money, and second, that New York
is the greatest city in the world.
The fact that the new conner always wore
immense long legged boots when there was
suggestion of dampness in the atmosphere,
and a sealskin vest winter and sum-
mer, was accepted with languid
smile, and his position as editor and
proprietor of The Texas Siftings, and there
fore a possible purchaser of literary wares,
rather initiated against him than otherwise.
The true Bohemian never toadies to the pro-
prietor and is prone to regard the publisher
with suspicious eye except on salary day.
This indifference lasted but short time, how
ever. One morning it was announced that
Col Knox had become involved in dispute
with Dennis Shehan, the sculptor, one of
Bohemia's inner circle During the dispute
Shehan had cast an aspersion upon the fair
fame of Texas and the colonel had demanded
that the insult to the Lone Star state should
be wiped out with blood. He had challenged
Shehan to fight duel and the sculptor had
accepted. Individually and collectively Bo-
hemia pricked up its ears Here was some
thing to talk about. For few days the papers
were full of it, The principals had mys-
teriously disappeared, and Hugh Farrar Nc
Dermott, the laureate of Jersey City, who
had been witness to the discussion, was
ominously silent. Everybody was talk
ing Of Col. John Annoy Knox, the
Texas fire eater, and copies of Texas Sift-
ings were at premium. AS excitement was
at fever heat, it was whispered that the
bloody conflict was to take place on Fiddlers'
Island, strip of sand just off Rockaway
beach, at daybreak. On the eventful morn
ing there was reporter behind every sand
hill on the beach and the principals did not
turn up Slowly it dawned upon Bohemia
that it had been made the victim Of a prac-
tical joke Then the laugh began. Col.
Knox. Of Texas, was carried into the very
center of the select circle and he has remained
there ever since, a leader in all the fun, one
OF the hardest workers and popular fellows in
the great metropolis He became Col Knox,
OF New York at one bound.
Subsequently, both by his work as an edi
tor and a playwright, he proved his title t.
fellowship in the guild of Gotham's choice
spirits, and he enhanced his popularity by
always giving the "boys" something new
to talk about, some new story to tell. His
eccentricities of dress were received wthou'
murmur, and he was rather liked the better
for his independence. He came back from
Europe not long ago with watch measuring
six inches in diameter. This he carries in the
pocket of his sealskin vest attached to fine
gold chain. Going up Broadway the other
night tramp accosted him and asked the
time. The colonel slowly drew out the watch
"Half-past twelve" he said calmly; but the
tramp paid no attention; his eyes were rveted
on the timepiece, and popped out of his head
like lobsters. "No," he muttered in a scar, =,
voice, II don't want no drink. If my eyes
are a-magnifyin' like that I'd better"-
Another glance at the watch convinced the
poor wretch that he had the tremens, and no
mistake, and leaving the sentence unfinished
he fled up the street. Another of Knox's
tricks which caused some excitement for p
time was his secret order of The Boon Cab
Arrabig9el Brotherhood. His friends re
celved announcements that they had beer
elected members of this mystic ORDER and %,
the bottom of the card was an in Junction I
keep this card where You can get at it rei,u
n.y." with lively recollections of the fanlou
Peanut club in their minds, in which evelN
member was obliged to display the ivory pea
nut, the emblem of the club, when caIi
upon by fellow member, or, falling. |,
stand treat, Col. Knox's victims kept I'll g..
ceipt of the cards profound secret and then
efforts to pump their friends on the :, j. /
and, above all, their uneasiness in the y. 49,
ence of Col. Knox, was Il source OF no end Of
amusement The colonel insists that it is a
serious organization, but his friends doubt it
Ills paper Is his hobby. His constant cry is |
Ior ideas" An lIishnan by birth, educate
IN Texas, he has made a thorough New
Yorker, cosmopolitan and good fellow il
the broadest sense of the phrase.
ALLAN FoRMAH.